Airtree are posting this on behalf of one of our portfolio companies. Once you apply your application will be reviewed by their Talent team, not Airtree. They are a Series B company with 350 team members.

We’re transforming the way people experience financial services, and our people strategy plays a critical role in delivering that impact. As Chief People Officer (CPO), you’ll lead the People & Culture function, shaping the vision for how we attract, grow, and support our employees across every stage of their journey.

You’ll oversee a high impact team spanning business partnering, employee experience, talent acquisition, ensuring our people strategy is scalable, values-driven, and aligned with business performance. As a member of the Executive Team, you’ll serve as both a strategic leader and a hands-on builder investing in our people, systems, and ways of working to support sustainable growth with clarity and purpose. Given our lean structure, this role involves a blend of direct execution and strategic leadership.

The Role

People Strategy & Leadership
Lead a future-focused people strategy that supports business growth, enhances employee experience, and reflects our values.
Partner with the CEO and exec team to embed people thinking into company-wide priorities.

Team Leadership & People Team Development
Lead and develop the People & Culture team, including business partners, talent, L&D, and employee experience functions to continue to deliver exceptional service and have an outsized impact.

Workforce Planning & Organisational Design
Drive workforce planning and organisational design to support scale and adaptability while aligning across strategy and future skill needs.

Culture & Engagement
Champion an inclusive, connected culture where all GROW-getters can thrive. Drive programs that build belonging, performance, and alignment with our purpose.

Internal Communications
Drive clear, transparent internal communication strategies that foster trust, alignment, and connection—especially during growth and change.

Change Leadership
Lead enterprise-wide change initiatives with empathy and structure—supporting teams and leaders through growth, transformation, and complexity.

Total Rewards & Compensation
Design and manage a fair, competitive total rewards framework—including salary, ESOP, benefits, recognition, and incentives.

People Operations & Compliance
Oversee global people operations, HR systems, and compliance with all employment laws and regulatory training requirements.

Executive & Cross-Functional Partnership
Partner with the CEO and executive team to embed people strategy into all aspects of business planning and execution.

If you were to nail this role, in two years you would have:

• Led the company through significant leadership and cultural changes bringing everyone on the journey and connecting them with the company purpose.
• Coached the senior leadership team to become a cohesive, collaborative, and high performing team.
• Developed and implemented a workforce strategy that adapts to large client transitions to allow for effective surge capacity.
• Championed people at every level of the organisation and empowered your People and Culture team to drive meaningful change and create an amazing culture.
• Helped the company win Best Place to Work and have a Glassdoor rating above 4.
• Developed a compelling employee value proposition that helps us win on talent.
• Established proper governance, mitigating risk and readying the business for an IPO.
  

Requirements

Experience & Background

• 15+ years in senior People leadership roles, with executive-level responsibilities.
• Strong experience in financial services or other highly regulated environments is essential.
• Proven success scaling HR operations in high-growth, global, or complex organisations.
• Demonstrated expertise in organisational design, workforce planning, and change leadership.
• Experience building and leading L&D, talent, and compliance training programs.
• Solid track record of designing and managing total rewards and equity frameworks.
• Familiarity with enterprise risk, regulatory expectations, and people-related compliance in a financial context.
  

Skills & Qualities

• Strategic, systems-minded leader with strong business acumen.
• Transparent, values-led communicator and culture champion.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills across all levels.
• Adaptable and confident navigating ambiguity, complexity, and change.
• Passionate about people development, continuous improvement, and inclusion.